Is There Such a Thing as a Healthy Indulgence?

Is There Such a Thing as a Healthy Indulgence?

I sure hope so, because I LOVE me some good Starbucks coffee, and isn't this quote so true? Sometimes the "best version of me" does come right after an indulgence...

So is there a healthy indulgence? This is one of those questions that every health professional answers differently. I guess it depends how you define indulgence, and what you consider healthy. I was raised by a mother that preached moderation in everything, so naturally, I have carried that over into my health coaching practice. When people ask me what I think of a certain diet, my first question is always, what foods do you have to deprive yourself of? Odds are, if you have to deprive yourself of a main food group, or of your favorite food, the diet isn't going to last long term because it's not sustainable. Which brings me back to the matter of healthy indulgences.

Have you ever met anyone that never, ever indulged? I haven't. I've met thousands of people that have disciplined themselves to eat a strict diet that was devoid of any and all indulgences for a period of time. Every single one of these people eventually fell off of the diet wagon. Without being allowed to indulge, people get fed up, burnt out, and become bitter about the extreme lengths that they have to go to in order to be healthy or look good. One bad day and their diet is down the drain. I know you've been there. You work so hard to fit into that outfit, or hit that number on the scale and then you receive some bad news and before you even realize you're doing it, you reach for the ice cream. And once you start, you can't stop. You realize that you forgot just how GOOD ice cream tastes. This is followed by a lot of binge eating, and before you know it, you are back to your old habits, your old weight, and your old health concerns.

The key here is moderation. Eating a pan of brownies every night is not moderation. Drinking three bottles of wine every night is not moderation. These are unhealthy habits, a form of binging. When you partake in your "guilty pleasures"on a regular basis, you will be more healthy over the long term. You won't ever get burnt out from eating the same foods over and over. You won't end up bitter because of extreme restrictions. You will still be able to enjoy food on a regular basis, while you maintain a healthy life. There will be no more yo-yo dieting and binging cycles.

So, is there a healthy indulgence? Yes, absolutely yes. Indulging, in moderation, is 100% necessary. Even the healthiest individuals on the planet indulge. Everyone has their own way of indulging, their own choice foods. What you indulge in, whether it's ice cream, alcohol, pie, or coffee, that doesn't matter nearly as much as the amount that you have.

To make sure you're having your "guilty pleasure" in moderation, stick to the basic principles:

1. Don't let an indulgence replace the main staples in your diet (fruits, veggies, whole grains, and protein)

2. Have a regular schedule, and know your limits. Coffee is my guilty pleasure. I generally stick to a schedule of two cups per week.

3. Know your limits. I will admit that every once in awhile I have three or even four cups of coffee in a week, but I never have five. Four is my absolute limit.

4. Have accountability. This is the most important rule of all. If you have someone else to keep you accountable and help you in your weak moments, you will have a much better rate of success.

I hope this frees you from any guilt you feel, and allows you the pleasure of partaking in your favorite indulgences! For more health related info, follow me on twitter @Abby_Shroka or go to my website abbyshroka.com

Wishing you all Health, Hope, & Happiness
Abby